CJ. Internet Use Policy

I. OVERVIEW

The South Plains College Network (SPCnet) is making Internet access available to the staff and students of South Plains College (SPC). We are very pleased to bring this access to SPC and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources. Our goal in providing this service to SPC is to promote educational excellence at the college by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. You have access to:

1. Electronic mail communication with people all over the world;
2. Information and news from NASA, as well as the opportunity to correspond with the scientists at NASA and other research institutions;
3. Public domain software and shareware of all types;
4. Discussion groups on a plethora of topics ranging from Chinese culture to the environment to music to politics etc.;
5. Access to many University Library Catalogs, the Library of Congress, CARL, and ERIC.

With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Despite efforts to prevent it, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and an industrious user may discover controversial information. SPC firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the college.

Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you are about to acquire. In general, this requires efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the network resources. If a SPCnet user violates any of these provisions, his or her account will be terminated and future access could possibly be denied. The signature at the end of this document is legally binding and indicates the party who signed has read the terms and conditions carefully and understand their significance.

II. INTERNET - SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A. Acceptable Use - The purpose of the Texas Higher Education Network (THENET) which is SPC’s backbone network to the Internet, is to support research and education in and among academic institutions in the U.S. by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and be consistent with the educational objectives of the South Plains College. Use of any other organization's network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities by for-profit institutions is generally not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

B. Privileges - The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of these privileges. The system administrators, SPC employees responsible for the operation of the SPCnet network, will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the system administrators may close an account at any time as required or as they deem appropriate and without notice. The administration of SPC may request the system administrators to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts, with or without cause, for violation of SPC network computing regulations and guidelines or as a result of other disciplinary action against the user.

C. SPCnet Network Computing Regulations and Guidelines - SPC is responsible for securing its network and computing systems in a reasonable and economically feasible degree against unauthorized access and/or abuse, while making them accessible for authorized and legitimate users. This responsibility includes informing users of expected standards of conduct and the punitive measures for not adhering to them. Any attempt to violate the provisions of these regulations and guidelines will result in disciplinary action in the form of temporary revocation of user accounts, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. Permanent revocations can result from disciplinary actions taken by SPC administrators.

The users of the network are responsible for respecting and adhering to local, state, federal, and international laws. Any attempt to break those laws through the use of the network may result in litigation against the offender by the proper authorities. If such an event should occur, SPC will fully comply with the authorities to provide any information necessary for the litigation process.

III. SECTION 1: GENERAL COMPUTING

Once a user receives a User ID to be used to access the network and computer systems on that network, they are solely responsible for all actions taken while using that User ID. Therefore:

1. Applying for a User ID under false pretenses is a punishable disciplinary offense.
2. Sharing your User ID with any other person is prohibited. You are solely responsible for any actions which occur in relation to your User ID number.
3. Revealing your personal address or phone numbers, or the address or phone numbers of students or colleagues, is prohibited.
4. Deletion, examination, copying, or modification of files and/or data belonging to other users without their prior consent is prohibited.
5. Attempts to evade or change resource quotas are prohibited.
6. Continued impedance of other users through mass consumption of system resources, after receipt of a request to cease such activity is prohibited.
7. Use of facilities and/or services for commercial purposes is prohibited.
8. Any unauthorized, deliberate action which damages or disrupts a computing system, alters its normal performance, or causes it to malfunction is a violation regardless of system location or time duration.

IV. SECTION 2: ELECTRONIC MAIL

Whenever you send electronic mail, your name and User ID are included in each mail message. You are responsible for all electronic mail originating from your User ID. By accepting an account, the applicant authorizes the designated SPC system administrators to have access to the applicant's e-mail and to make that e-mail available to district, local, state, and federal officials in conjunction with any investigation. Therefore:

1. Forgery, or attempted forgery, of electronic mail messages is prohibited.
2. Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other users are prohibited.
3. Attempts at sending harassing, obscene and/or other threatening email to another user is prohibited.
4. Attempts at sending unsolicited junk mail, "for-profit" messages, or chain letters is prohibited.

V. SECTION 3: NETWORK SECURITY

As a user of the network, you may be allowed to access other networks and o the computer systems attached to those networks. Therefore:

1. Use of systems and/or networks in attempts to gain unauthorized access to remote systems is prohibited.
2. Use of systems and/or networks to connect to other systems, in evasion of the physical limitations of the remote system, is prohibited.
3. Decryption of system or user passwords is prohibited.
4. The unauthorized copying of system files is prohibited.
5. The copying of copyrighted materials, such as third-party software, without the express written permission of the owner or the proper license, is prohibited.
6. Intentional attempts to 'crash" network systems or programs are punishable disciplinary offenses.
7. Any attempts to secure a higher level of privilege on network systems are punishable disciplinary offenses.
8. The willful introduction of computer "viruses" or other disruptive/destructive programs into the SPCnet network or into external networks is prohibited.

D. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability - Access to the Internet is provided on an as is, as available" basis. The South Plains College, its Board of Trustees, agents, and staff members make no representations or warranties, whether expressed or implied, of any kind with respect to THENET, SPCnet, the services to be provided by SPCnet, or any information or software accessed or received by the applicant or contacts made by the applicant, and disclaims any implied warranties, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The system administrators and SPC do not warrant that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or software contained on the system will meet the user's requirements or that the operation of the system will be uninterrupted or error-free or that defects in the system will be corrected. SPC will not be responsible to you or liable to you for any claims, losses, or damages you may suffer as a result of these Terms and Conditions or your access to THENET or SPCnet, including without limitation, any losses, claims, or damages arising from SPC's negligence or your own errors or omissions. YOU AGREE THAT THIS LIMITATION IS INTENDED TO AND DOES RELEASE SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE FROM ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES THAT YOU MAY SUFFER THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SYSTEM. Use of any information obtained via your connection with SPCnet is at your own risk. SPC specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through this service. Furthermore, SPC assumes no responsibility or liability for any unauthorized phone charges including, but not limited to, long distance charges, per minute (unit) surcharges and/or equipment or line costs, incurred by the user while accessing SPCnet. Any dispute or problems regarding unauthorized phone service are strictly between the user and his or her local phone company and/or long distance service provider.

E. Security - Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the Internet, you must notify a system administrator. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individuals account. A SPC staff member shall not allow students to access the system through the staff person's account. SPCnet account members shall not let others use their account and password. Attempts to log in to the system using another member's account or as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Members should immediately notify a system administrator if their password is lost or stolen, or if they have reason to believe that someone has obtained unauthorized access to their account. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to SPCnet.

F. Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism, as addressed in SPC Network Computing Regulations and Guidelines, is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of, or accessing without permission a computer of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the THENET Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

G. Updating Your User Information - The system administrators may occasionally require new registration and account information from you to continue the service. You must notify the system administrators of any changes in your account information.

H. Application of Terms and Conditions - All terms and conditions as stated in this document are applicable to the applicant's use of SPCnet, and THENET. These terms and conditions reflect the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings of the parties. These terms and conditions shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Texas and the United States of America.